Chapter 6: Field Notes & Reporting

Question 1

_______ are the short-hand written record made by a police officer from the time she/he arrives at the scene until the assignment is completed. These are more reliable than the officer’s memory.

Answer 1

Field Notes

Question 2

_______ are the foundation for writing the incident report because the field notes are its primary source of information.

Answer 2

Field Notes

Question 3

Even in a short period of time, some important details may be forgotten. Detailed _______ are reliable and can help ensure that important details are not left out of a report.

Answer 3

Field Notes

Question 4

Police _______ and reports are filled with hearsay evidence and would ordinarily not be admissible in court except for one of the exceptions to the hearsay rule: They are business records that are regularly prepared in the course of doing police work.

Answer 4

Field Notes

Question 5

Officers can refer to _______ to refresh my recollection when testifying in court.

Answer 5

Field Notes

Question 6

_______ establish that the elements of a specific crime occurred.

Answer 6

Field Notes

Question 7

Strong _______ demonstrate refresh my recollection when testifying in court.

Answer 7

Field Notes

Question 8

_______ can be used to defend the accuracy and integrity of the incident report by showing a link between the field notes and the content of the report.

Answer 8

Field Notes

Question 9

_______ can document inconsistent statements made by those at the scene.

Answer 9

Field Notes

Question 10

_______ can document inconsistent statements made by those at the scene.

Answer 10

Field Notes

Question 11

_______ contribute to the community’s perception that the department has well-trained officers.

Answer 11

Field Notes

Question 12

_______ can ensure that evidence will be admitted because its presence at the scene is documented.

Answer 12

Field Notes

Question 13

A well-prepared _______ based on a thorough investigation of an offense can promote the rapid apprehensive of the suspect, thus preventing further crimes and making the recovery of property more likely.

Answer 13

Offense Report

Question 14

There are two indispensable elements of reports:

Answer 14

1. Accuracy

2. Clear communication of the meaning that the writer intended.

Question 15

Separating _______ from each other to avoid contamination of recall, and interview them individually.

Answer 15

Witnesses

Question 16

Identify the _______ or other state of a person being interviewed.

Answer 16

Emotional

Question 17

Do not reveal your _______, _______, or _______ when conducting an interview.

Answer 17

a. Emotions
b. Impatient
c. Disbelief

Question 18

Use _______ cues to encourage the person to continue speaking.

Answer 18

Nonverbal

Question 19

If a speaker loses focus or begins _______ wandering, bring him or her back to the topic.

Answer 19

Verbally

Question 20

Record exact _______, _______, or _______ whenever possible.

Answer 20

a. Words
b. Phrases
c. Sentences

Question 21

Make sure you have all _______ locator information, and read it back and have them correct or verify it.

Answer 21

Victim and Witness

Question 22

Develop a _______ and use it consistently.

Answer 22

Short-Hand

Question 23

Develop skills at detecting _______.

Answer 23

Lying

Question 24

Treat all people with _______.

Answer 24

Dignity and Respect

Question 25

_______ appear to encourage officers and members of the public to be more cordial towards each other.

Answer 25

Body Worn Cameras (BWC)

Question 26

_______ reduce frivolous complaints and suits against the police.

Answer 26

Body Worn Cameras (BWC)

Question 27

Some _______ recording will provide important evidence.

Answer 27

Body Worn Camera (BWC)

Question 28

Occasionally, _______ from Body Worn Cameras (BWC) will provide good material for training recruits.

Answer 28

Recordings

Question 29

_______ stimulate public confidence in the police.

Answer 29

Body Worn Cameras (BWC)

Question 30

Officers who seriously miss behave can be separated from service by using _______.

Answer 30

Body Worn Cameras (BWC)

Question 31

The use of _______ can reduce police litigation cost.

Answer 31

Body Worn Cameras (BWC)

Question 32

A “_______” agency believes viewing a video may taint an officer’s recollection.

Answer 32

No Access

Question 33

An “access” agency recognize that:

Answer 33

1. The human field of vision covers 180°
2. The human brain has a field of attention of 50 to 60°
3. Under conditions of stress, this field narrows to 1/2 of a degree.

Question 34

Public online reporting systems proliferated (increased significantly) because it was an important strategy of leveraging sources to create for important advantages:

Answer 34

1. The public could almost instantly report many crimes 24/7.
2. Time of officers was preserved to preserved to provide other services.
3. Community participation in policing would be enhanced.
4. Online reporting systems are cost-effective.

Question 35

The six basic investigative questions:

Answer 35

Who, What, When, Where, How, & Why

Question 36

The incident report must contain as much detail about the suspect as is known, including:

Answer 36

a. Description Data
b. Clothing
c. Hair
d. Complexion
e. Language or Accent
f. Weapons Displayed

Question 37

The narrative report generally makes the most sense if written in a _______ format beginning with the earliest thin that happened and progressing to the most recent that are happening.

Answer 37

Chronological

Question 38

After approving an incident report, the supervisor must make one of what kind of dispositions of it.

Answer 38

1. Retained (Further Investigation)
2. Unfounded
3. Inactive (Lack of Leads)
4. Referred (Further Investigation by Plain Clothed Officers)
5. Case Closed

Question 39

the purposes of writing a follow-up report are:

Answer 39

1. When new information is discovered.
2. Within 10 days of a newly assigned case.
3. If no significant information is obtained within 30 days, the detective supervisor may inactivate a case.
4. When an investigative milestone occurs including composite sketch made, identification of a suspect, search/arrest warrants obtained/executed and property recovered.